The Glittering Court Review – Buddy Read with SydneysShelves

Big and sweeping, spanning the refined palaces of Osfrid to the gold dust and untamed forests of Adoria, The Glittering Court tells the story of Adelaide, an Osfridian countess who poses as her servant to escape an arranged marriage and start a new life in Adoria, the New World. But to do that, she must join the Glittering Court. Both a school and a business venture, the Glittering Court is designed to transform impoverished girls into upper class ladies who appear destined for powerful and wealthy marriages in the New World. Adelaide naturally excels in her training and even makes a few friends: the fiery former laundress Tamsin and the mysterious Sirminican refugee Mira. She manages to keep her true identity hidden from all but one: the intriguing Cedric Thorn, son of the wealthy proprietor of the Glittering Court.

When Adelaide discovers that Cedric is hiding a dangerous secret of his own, together, they hatch a scheme to make the best of Adelaide’s deception. Complications soon arise—first, as they cross the treacherous seas from Osfrid to Adoria, and later, when Adelaide catches the attention of a powerful governor. But no complication will prove quite as daunting as the potent attraction simmering between Adelaide and Cedric. An attraction that, if acted on, would scandalize the Glittering Court and make them both outcasts in wild, vastly uncharted lands….

About: The Glittering Court is a fiction novel written by Richelle Mead. It was published on 4/5/16 by Razorbill, an imprint of Penguin Random House, 400 pages. The genres are fantasy, young adult, and romance. The sequel to this book is called Midnight Jewel and it will be published 6/7/17. There will be a total of 3 books to this series. Please see below for more information about the author.

Buddy Read Questions & Answers with Sydney @ Sydneys’ Shelves

Which part of the book did you enjoyed reading the most?

Jasmine:I liked the Forbidden Love part. It’s fun and adventurous. I like their easy humor and their sneaking around.

Jasmine:I like Cedric. When he sets out to do something, he makes sure to do it all the way. I also like his persuasion skills. He can definitely talk you to join him in doing anything.

Sydney: My favorite character was Cedric. But it was because he was a smart ass.

How did you feel about this book having only 1 POV?

Jasmine:I prefer if there are multiple POVs because there are plenty happenings in this book that called for it. I am interested to read the sequel.

Sydney: I would have preferred multiple POVs along with splitting the book up plot wise.

My Experience: I started reading The Glittering Court on 3/11/17 and finished it on 3/18/17. I’m super happy to have read this book with an amazing fellow blogger Sydney @ Sydney’s Shelves. Please follow the link to read her review. This book kept me hooked from the first chapter to more than half of the book. All of the happenings are interesting to read. I didn’t enjoy the remaining 30% of the book as much as the first 70% because the adventures were a bit mundane. The ending leave a bit of suspense for the sequel and a lot of unanswered questions because readers only read one POV in this book. The fantasy in this book was just the foreign land. There were no magic. The world building is good, although, a bit confusing because everything were new and it’s a lot to keep track. There are different religions, colonies, new civilizations, etc. This book is packed and it’s definitely a historical fiction novel.

“We’re all in charge of our own lives – and we have to live with the consequences of the choices we make.” 38%

In this book, readers will follow the point of view of Lady Elizabeth Witmore, Countess of Rothford, aka Adelaide Bailey, 17 years old and in a hurry to be married off due to the dwindling financial trouble in the family. Due to her title, being one of the noblest families in Osfrid, she couldn’t just marry anyone. Her marriage has to be arranged so that she will be married to someone with similar status and wealth. She didn’t like being arranged and equally didn’t like having decisions made for her. Being a lady is all glamour and surrounded by luxury with many servants swarming around her to do her bidding and escort her everywhere she goes. She feels trapped for the lack of control to her life because decisions will always be made for her no matter where she goes, whether living in her current household with her grandmother or at her soon to be husband’s.

“I will take your hand and lie with you in the groves, under the light of the moon. I will build a life with you upon this green earth. I will walk by your side for so long as the sun continues to rise.” 82%

When opportunity presents itself, she took advantage of it and it doesn’t matter if she has to deceive her way through it. The Glittering Court has pros and cons to it and like everything else, the cons is not always good. In this case, I became critical and didn’t like the meaning it sends to young readers. To me, the glittering court implies the practice of smuggling underage girls to sell them to pimps. Even so, it’s a fiction novel and it still makes an interesting read. There is a lot going on in this book, but since we are following 1 POV, we only know what Lady Witmore is up to even though clearly three other characters, Tamsin, Mirabel, and Cedric plays big parts in this book. There are adventures in this book that takes the characters to new lands, new laws, new religions, and everything else. I like Lady Witmore, especially her determination to help Cedric. She really goes out of her way to help him despite the danger. I also like Cedric, he does what he says he will do and I just love his humor. Overall, this book is worth a read and I am looking forward to reading the sequels.

Richelle Mead is the author of the international #1 bestselling Vampire Academy series, its bestselling spinoff series Bloodlines, and the fantasy standalone Soundless. A lifelong reader, Richelle has always had a particular fascination with mythology and folklore. When she can actually tear herself away from books (either reading or writing them), she enjoys bad reality TV, traveling, trying interesting cocktails, and shopping for dresses to wear on tour. She is a self-professed coffee addict, works in her pajamas, and has a passion for all things wacky and humorous. Originally from Michigan, Richelle now lives in Seattle, Washington, where she is hard at work on her next novel. Visit http://www.RichelleMead.com to find out more. (Info obtained from Edelweiss).

***Disclaimer: I borrowed this ebook from my library on Overdrive and my opinions are honest.

I’ve been wondering about this book. I’ve read so many negative reviews on it that I almost gave up on it, but your review gives me hope! Maybe it’s not as bad as people say! I’m still really eager to read this one and I love Richelle Mead for her Vampire Academy series, so I have high hopes for this one! I’m glad you liked it Jasmine! 😀

I would say you just have to give it a try for yourself. Book 2 of this series is coming in June of this year so might as well read this book now 🙂 I do like Mead’s writing. I have yet to read Vampire Academy series. Is it a 5 stars rating for you?

About Me

Hi! Thanks for taking the time to read about me. I create this blog to gush over books I love and to connect with other book lovers. As always, too many books, too little time. Time need to freeze so that I can read more books! :-)